U.S. patent application number 16/672608 was filed with the patent office on 2021-05-06 for seat supporting reinforcement brace.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ford Global Technologies, LLC. Invention is credited to Peyman Aghssa, Framroz Meheryar Bharucha, John Michael McGuckin, Nikhil Mone, Sean Timothy Ryan, Bin Zhang.
Application Number | 20210129910 16/672608 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004470766 |
Filed Date | 2021-05-06 |
![](/patent/app/20210129910/US20210129910A1-20210506\US20210129910A1-2021050)
United States Patent
Application |
20210129910 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Aghssa; Peyman ; et
al. |
May 6, 2021 |
SEAT SUPPORTING REINFORCEMENT BRACE
Abstract
A vehicle having a reinforcement brace includes, among other
things, an aft structure, a passenger side strut, a driver side
strut, a passenger side load transfer frame coupling the aft
structure to the passenger side strut and being configured to
transfer a load applied to the aft structure from a rear of a
vehicle to the passenger side strut, and a driver side load
transfer frame coupling the aft structure to the driver side strut
and being configured to transfer a load applied to the aft
structure from the rear of the vehicle to the driver side
strut.
Inventors: |
Aghssa; Peyman; (Ann Arbor,
MI) ; Mone; Nikhil; (Dearborn, MI) ; Bharucha;
Framroz Meheryar; (Farmington Hills, MI) ; McGuckin;
John Michael; (Ann Arbor, MI) ; Ryan; Sean
Timothy; (Farmington Hills, MI) ; Zhang; Bin;
(Windsor, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ford Global Technologies, LLC |
Dearborn |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004470766 |
Appl. No.: |
16/672608 |
Filed: |
November 4, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D 21/152 20130101;
B62D 25/2027 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B62D 21/15 20060101
B62D021/15; B62D 25/20 20060101 B62D025/20 |
Claims
1. A vehicle having a reinforcement brace, the reinforcement brace
comprising: an aft structure; a passenger side strut; a driver side
strut; a passenger side load transfer frame coupling the aft
structure to the passenger side strut and being configured to
transfer a load applied to the aft structure from a rear of a
vehicle to the passenger side strut; and a driver side load
transfer frame coupling the aft structure to the driver side strut
and being configured to transfer a load applied to the aft
structure from the rear of the vehicle to the driver side
strut.
2. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a rear seat of the
vehicle, the rear seat directly coupled to the passenger side load
transfer frame and the driver side load transfer frame.
3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the passenger side load transfer
frame includes a first and a second support frame member that each
extend longitudinally in a direction that is aligned with a
longitudinal axis of the vehicle, wherein the rear seat of the
vehicle is directly attached to both the first support frame member
and the second support frame member.
4. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a traction battery
beneath the vehicle, the aft structure of the brace aft the
traction battery, the passenger side strut and the driver side
strut both extending forward of the traction battery.
5. The vehicle of claim 4, further comprising a liquid fuel tank
beneath the vehicle, the aft structure of the brace aft the liquid
fuel tank, the passenger side strut and the driver side strut both
extending forward of the traction battery.
6. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the traction battery is on one
of a passenger side or a driver side of the vehicle and the liquid
fuel tank is on the other of the passenger side or the driver
side.
7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the passenger side strut and
driver side strut each extend to a position at least partially
aligned with a B-pillar along the longitudinal axis.
8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the aft structure, the driver
side load transfer frame, the passenger side load transfer frame,
the driver side strut, and the passenger side strut are
substantially elongated tubular structures.
9. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the aft structure, the driver
side load transfer frame, the passenger side load transfer frame,
the driver side strut, and the passenger side strut are disposed
atop a vehicle floor.
10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the aft structure is directly
connected to a cross-brace, the cross-brace extending from the aft
structure to connect to a driver side rail, and a passenger side
rail of the vehicle.
11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the cross-brace is
substantially X-shaped and configured to transfer impact energy
during a rear impact experienced by the vehicle.
12. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the cross-brace includes a
portion extending on a passenger side of a spare tire compartment
and a portion extending on a driver side of the spare tire
compartment.
13. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is an electrified
vehicle.
14. A vehicle reinforcement method, comprising: providing a
reinforcement brace having an aft structure that receives a load
applied to a vehicle, the reinforcement brace configured to direct
the load outboard on a first side of the vehicle by directing the
load from a passenger side of the aft structure to a passenger side
load transfer frame and then to a passenger side strut that is
outboard the passenger side of the aft structure, and to direct the
load outboard on an opposite, second side of the vehicle by
directing the load from a driver side of the aft structure to a
driver side load transfer frame and then to a driver side strut
that is outboard the driver side of the aft structure.
15. The vehicle reinforcement method of claim 14, further
comprising securing a rear seat of the vehicle directly to the
passenger side load transfer frame and the driver side load
transfer frame.
16. The vehicle reinforcement method of claim 14, further
comprising positioning the reinforcement brace within the vehicle
relative to a traction battery of the vehicle such that the aft
structure of the brace is aft the traction battery, and such that
the passenger side strut and the driver side strut both extend
forward of the traction battery.
17. The vehicle reinforcement method of claim 16, further
comprising positioning the reinforcement brace within the vehicle
relative to a liquid fuel tank of the vehicle such that the aft
structure of the brace is aft the liquid fuel tank, and such that
the passenger side strut and the driver side strut both extend
forward of the traction battery.
18. The vehicle reinforcement method of claim 17, further
comprising positioning the reinforcement brace within the vehicle
such that the passenger side strut and the driver side strut each
extend to a position at least partially aligned with a B-pillar
along the longitudinal axis.
19. The vehicle reinforcement method of claim 14, further
comprising directing the load from a cross-brace to the aft
structure of the reinforcement brace, the cross-brace extending
from the aft structure to connect to a driver side rail, and a
passenger side rail of the vehicle.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to a brace of a vehicle
and, more particularly, to a brace that can support a seat and help
to redirect impact loads applied to the vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Vehicles can include structures designed to, in part, manage
the kinematics of vehicle structures in response to an impact load
applied to the vehicle.
SUMMARY
[0003] A vehicle having a reinforcement brace according to an
exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other
things, an aft structure, a passenger side strut, a driver side
strut, a passenger side load transfer frame coupling the aft
structure to the passenger side strut and being configured to
transfer a load applied to the aft structure from a rear of a
vehicle to the passenger side strut, and a driver side load
transfer frame coupling the aft structure to the driver side strut
and being configured to transfer a load applied to the aft
structure from the rear of the vehicle to the driver side
strut.
[0004] Another example of the foregoing vehicle includes a rear
seat of the vehicle. The rear seat is directly coupled to the
passenger side load transfer frame and the driver side load
transfer frame.
[0005] In another example of any of the foregoing vehicles, the
passenger side load transfer frame includes a first and a second
support frame member that each extend longitudinally in a direction
that is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The rear
seat of the vehicle is directly attached to both the first support
frame member and the second support frame member.
[0006] Another example of any of the foregoing vehicles includes a
traction battery beneath the vehicle. The aft structure of the
brace is aft the traction battery. The passenger side strut and the
driver side strut both extend forward of the traction battery.
[0007] Another example of any of the foregoing vehicles includes a
liquid fuel tank beneath the vehicle. The aft structure of the
brace is aft the liquid fuel tank. The passenger side strut and the
driver side strut both extend forward of the traction battery.
[0008] In an another example of any of the foregoing vehicles, the
traction battery is on one of a passenger side or a driver side of
the vehicle and the liquid fuel tank is on the other of the
passenger side or the driver side.
[0009] In another example of any of the foregoing vehicles, the
passenger side strut and driver side strut each extend to a
position at least partially aligned with a B-pillar along the
longitudinal axis.
[0010] In another example of any of the foregoing vehicles, the aft
structure, the driver side load transfer frame, the passenger side
load transfer frame, the driver side strut, and the passenger side
strut are substantially elongated tubular structures.
[0011] In another example of any of the foregoing vehicles, the aft
structure, the driver side load transfer frame, the passenger side
load transfer frame, the driver side strut, and the passenger side
strut are disposed atop a vehicle floor.
[0012] In another example of any of the foregoing vehicles, the aft
structure is directly connected to a cross-brace. The cross-brace
extends from the aft structure to connect to a driver side rail,
and a passenger side rail of the vehicle.
[0013] In another example of any of the foregoing vehicles, the
cross-brace is substantially X-shaped and configured to transfer
impact energy during a rear impact experienced by the vehicle.
[0014] In another example of any of the foregoing vehicles, the
cross-brace includes a portion extending on a passenger side of a
spare tire compartment and a portion extending on a driver side of
the spare tire compartment.
[0015] In another example of any of the foregoing vehicles, the
vehicle is an electrified vehicle.
[0016] A vehicle reinforcement method according to another
exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other
things, providing a reinforcement brace having an aft structure
that receives a load applied to a vehicle. The reinforcement brace
is configured to direct the load outboard on a first side of the
vehicle by directing the load from a passenger side of the aft
structure to a passenger side load transfer frame and then to a
passenger side strut that is outboard the passenger side of the aft
structure. The reinforcement brace is configure to direct the load
outboard on an opposite, second side of the vehicle by directing
the load from a driver side of the aft structure to a driver side
load transfer frame and then to a driver side strut that is
outboard the driver side of the aft structure.
[0017] Another example of the foregoing method includes securing a
rear seat of the vehicle directly to the passenger side load
transfer frame and the driver side load transfer frame.
[0018] Another example of any of the foregoing method includes
positioning the reinforcement brace within the vehicle relative to
a traction battery of the vehicle such that the aft structure of
the brace is aft the traction battery, and such that the passenger
side strut and the driver side strut both extend forward of the
traction battery.
[0019] Another example of any of the foregoing methods includes
positioning the reinforcement brace within the vehicle relative to
a liquid fuel tank of the vehicle such that the aft structure of
the brace is aft the liquid fuel tank, and such that the passenger
side strut and the driver side strut both extend forward of the
traction battery.
[0020] Another example of any of the foregoing methods includes
positioning the reinforcement brace within the vehicle such that
the passenger side strut and the driver side strut each extend to a
position at least partially aligned with a B-pillar along the
longitudinal axis.
[0021] Another example of any of the foregoing methods includes
directing the load from a cross-brace to the aft structure of the
reinforcement brace, the cross-brace extending from the aft
structure to connect to a driver side rail, and a passenger side
rail of the vehicle.
[0022] The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the preceding
paragraphs, the claims, or the following description and drawings,
including any of their various aspects or respective individual
features, may be taken independently or in any combination.
Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable
to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0023] The various features and advantages of the disclosed
examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the
detailed description. The figures that accompany the detailed
description can be briefly described as follows:
[0024] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a reinforcement brace and
other portions of a vehicle body structure.
[0025] FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the reinforcement brace when
in an installed position within the vehicle and when supporting a
rear seat structure of the vehicle.
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a section view taken at line 3-3 in FIG.
2.
[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the reinforcement brace and
other selected portions of the vehicle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] This disclosure details an exemplary reinforcement brace for
a vehicle. In particular, the disclosure details a reinforcement
brace that helps to direct a load applied to the rear of the
vehicle to the outboard areas of the vehicle. The reinforcement
brace further directly supports a seat of the vehicle.
[0029] With reference to FIG. 1, a reinforcement brace 10,
according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, is
disposed atop a vehicle floor 14. The reinforcement brace 10 and
the vehicle floor 14 are parts of the vehicle body structure. The
reinforcement brace 10 and the vehicle floor 14 can be secured
together with mechanical fasteners, welds, or secured in some other
way.
[0030] The reinforcement brace 10 includes an aft structure 18, a
passenger side strut 22P, a driver side strut 22D, a passenger side
load transfer member 26P, and a driver side load transfer member
26D.
[0031] A pair of connection members 28P extend from a passenger
side end portion 30P of the aft structure 18 to the passenger side
load transfer frame 26P. The connection members 28P extend
longitudinally in a direction aligned with a longitudinal axis of
the vehicle. The connection members 28P are spaced apart in a
cross-vehicle direction.
[0032] The passenger side load transfer frame 26P is further
directly coupled to the passenger side strut 22P. In the exemplary
embodiment, a rear portion of the passenger side strut 22P extends
beneath a portion of the passenger side load transfer frame 26P
such that the passenger side load transfer frame 26P is stacked
atop the passenger side strut 22P. Fasteners, welds, or some other
attachment could be used to directly connect the passenger side
load transfer frame 26P with the passenger side strut 22P.
[0033] A pair of connection members 28D extend from a driver side
end portion 30D of the aft structure 18 to the driver side load
transfer frame 26D. The connection members 28D extend
longitudinally in a direction aligned with the longitudinal axis of
the vehicle. The connection members 28D are spaced apart in a
cross-vehicle direction.
[0034] The driver side load transfer frame 26D is further directly
coupled to the driver side strut 22D. In the exemplary embodiment,
a rear portion of the driver side strut 22D extends beneath a
portion of the driver side load transfer frame 26D such that the
driver side load transfer frame 26D is stacked atop the driver side
strut 22D. Fasteners, welds, or some other attachment could be used
to directly connect the driver side load transfer frame 26D with
the driver side strut 22D.
[0035] With reference now to FIGS. 2-3 and continued reference to
FIG. 1, when the reinforcement brace 10 is installed within the
vehicle, the reinforcement brace 10 rests atop the vehicle floor
14. A rear seat 34 of the vehicle is directly attached to the
reinforcement brace 10 in the exemplary embodiment.
[0036] The driver side load transfer frame 26D includes, among
other things, a first support frame member 38D and a second support
frame member 42D. Similarly, the passenger side load transfer frame
26B includes a first support frame member 38P and a second support
frame member 42P.
[0037] With reference to a longitudinal axis A of the vehicle, the
first support frame members 38D and 38P are positioned outboard of
the second support frame members 42D and 42P. The first support
frame members 38D and 38P and the second support frame members 42D
and 42P extend longitudinally in a direction aligned with the
longitudinal axis A.
[0038] The rear seat 34 is directly attached to the first support
frame members 38D, 38P, and the second support frame members 42D
and 42P. Securing the rear seat 34 to the reinforcement brace can
desirably help to control the kinematics of the rear seat 34 in
response to a load.
[0039] With reference now to FIG. 4, the vehicle includes a
traction battery 50 on a passenger side. The traction battery 50 is
vertically beneath the reinforcement brace 10 and the vehicle floor
14. The vehicle further includes a liquid fuel tank 54 on a driver
side of the vehicle. The liquid fuel tank 54 is vertically beneath
the reinforcement brace 10 and the vehicle floor 14.
[0040] Vertical, for purposes of this disclosure, refers to the
general orientation of the vehicle during operation or with
reference to ground or horizon. In FIG. 4, for example, a
vertically upward direction extends perpendicularly from a plane of
the page.
[0041] Although the traction battery 50 is shown on the passenger
side and the liquid fuel tank 54 on the driver side, the placement
could be reversed in other examples such that the liquid fuel tank
54 is on the passenger side and the traction battery 50 is on the
driver side.
[0042] In the exemplary embodiment, the vehicle having the
reinforcement brace 10 is an electrified vehicle and, in
particular, an electrified law enforcement vehicle. Electrified
vehicles differ from conventional motor vehicles because
electrified vehicles are selectively driven using one or more
electric machines powered by a traction battery. The electric
machines can drive the electrified vehicles instead of, or in
addition to, an internal combustion engine. Example electrified
vehicles include hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid
electric vehicles (PHEVs), fuel cell vehicles (FCVs), and battery
electric vehicles (BEVs).
[0043] The exemplary traction battery 50 differs from a 12-Volt
accessory battery of conventional vehicles because, among other
things, the traction battery 50 can be used to provide motive power
to drive wheels of the vehicle.
[0044] Along the longitudinal axis A, the aft structure 18 is
positioned rearward of both the traction battery 50 and the liquid
fuel tank 54. As a load is applied to the aft structure 18 from a
rear of the vehicle, the load moves along a load path that passes
from the aft structure 18 to the driver side load transfer frame
26D and the passenger side load transfer frame 26P.
[0045] The load transfer frames 26D and 26P are configured to
redirect the load path outward away from the longitudinal axis A
and along the respective driver side strut 22D and passenger side
strut 22P. Vehicle structures at these laterally outward positions,
such as rockers, can help to absorb the load moving along the load
path.
[0046] The passenger side strut 22P and the driver side strut 22D
each extend to a position that is at least partially aligned, along
the longitudinal axis A, with a B-pillar 56 (FIG. 1). Extending the
passenger side strut 22P and the driver side strut 22D this far
forward in the vehicle can further help to absorb and disperse load
moving along the load path by providing a substantially direct load
path from the aft structure 18 to the B-pillars 56.
[0047] Directing the load outward away from the longitudinal axis A
can lessen a concentration of load at a position aft of the
traction battery 50 and aft of the liquid fuel tank 54. This can
help to control kinematics of the vehicle structures in these areas
and lessen relative movement of structures toward the traction
battery 50 and the liquid fuel tank 54. Controlling the kinematics
can help to avoid the vehicle structures, such as the subframe,
contacting the traction battery 50, the liquid fuel tank 54, or
both due to the impact load.
[0048] The aft structure 18, the driver side load transfer frame
26D, the passenger side load transfer frame 26P, the driver side
strut 22D, and the passenger side strut 22P are substantially
elongated tubular structures in this example. The tubular
structures can have a wall thickness that is greater than 2.5
millimeters. In some examples, the wall thickness can be 3.0
millimeters. The structures can be secured together utilizing
welds, for example, to provide the reinforcement brace 10. In this
example, the reinforcement brace 10 is symmetrical about the
longitudinal axis A of the vehicle 10. The symmetrical nature of
the reinforcement brace 10 can facilitate directing offset impact
loads.
[0049] The aft structure 18 is directly connected to a cross-brace
60 in the exemplary embodiment. The cross-brace 60 extends from the
aft structure 18 rearward to connect to a driver side rail 64D and
a passenger side rail 64P. The cross-brace 60 has a generally
X-shaped configuration.
[0050] The portions of the cross-brace 60 extend along the driver
side to a position that is on a passenger side of a spare tire
compartment 68 within a trunk of the vehicle. The portions of the
cross-brace 60 connected to the driver side rail 64D extend to a
position on a driver side of the spare tire compartment 68.
[0051] When an impact load is applied to a rear of the vehicle, the
load can, in the exemplary embodiment, initially move through the
driver side rail 64D and the passenger side rail 64P into the
cross-brace 60. From the cross-brace 60, the load is transferred to
the aft structure 18 and then through the remaining portions of the
reinforcement brace as previously described.
[0052] Although a specific component relationship is illustrated in
the figures of this disclosure, the illustrations are not intended
to limit this disclosure. In other words, the placement and
orientation of the various components shown could vary within the
scope of this disclosure. In addition, the various figures
accompanying this disclosure are not necessarily to scale, and some
features may be exaggerated or minimized to show certain details of
a particular component.
[0053] The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting
in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples
may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not
necessarily depart from the essence of this disclosure. Thus, the
scope of legal protection given to this disclosure can only be
determined by studying the following claims.
* * * * *